Following allegations from Ryan Seacrest's former stylist, Suzie Hardy, that after asking her to tie his shoelaces, Seacrest pushed her head into his crotch -- allegations that have been corroborated by one of Hardy's co-workers -- Kelly Ripa took a jab at Seacrest.

The two are co-hosts of the daytime talk show, Live with Kelly and Ryan. On Wednesday's show, she looked down at his feet and said, "Sweetie, do you want me to put your shoes back on for you?" He replied, "You don't mind, do you?" To which she said, "I'm a mom. I can do that. No, no, it's okay!"

It's not clear if Ripa was trying to bring attention to the sexual harrassment allegations made by Hardy, which have not been addressed by the hosts prior to Wednesday, or if she was just making an ill-timed joke. For his part, Seacrest denies the allegations, which include a number of other claims of inappropriate behavior in an article posted on Variety.com on Monday.

Meanwhile, Seacrest is still scheduled to host the red carpet at the Oscars for E!, but an NBC source told the New York Post's Page Six that it may not happen, because of "the publicists planning to steer their talent away from Seacrest on the red carpet," adding, "It doesn’t look good for Seacrest, even though he denies it and was cleared by an internal investigation."

Of the exchange on the show, the source said, "It’s astonishing and jarring that Kelly would make a dig like that at Ryan. It shows there are some serious cracks in their relationship."

Take a look at the video and tell us what you make of Ripa's joke. ~Alexandra Heilbron

Comments & Discussion

People can't even joke around anymore - it's completely out of hand. Where will all of this end? Soon men and women will not even be speaking to each other for fear of retribution. God help us all.

Anna - 3/1/2018 10:09:33 AM

It looks like an innocent joke, but I'm not sure it was. Why look down at his shoes and make that joke just two days after that article was published about him having his stylist tie his shoes? Obviously grown men don't need their shoes tied, or any help with his shoes. The more I think about it, the more I think she was trying to say something about him.

Witness - 3/1/2018 10:15:04 AM

Joke? What joke?

Susan Shetler - 3/1/2018 10:17:05 AM

Disgusting.....I don't think this was an innocent joke, they know the allegations, where's the backlash on this one?

Oree Gianacopoulos - 3/1/2018 10:18:47 AM

Ridiculous! She asked if he needed help getting his shoes on, because she noticed they were off. I cannot comment on the other allegations, but this appeared entirely innocent.

Anonymous - 3/1/2018 10:54:42 AM

This is nothing! Lol

AGE A - 3/1/2018 11:01:16 AM

I am so sick of this being so one sided... wendy williams points at Chadwick Bosemans crotch and say's, "Doable!" and nothing...if it were reversed his career would be ruined in a matter of hours...So she is sick, she has a TV show directed to women...that excuses her actions and comments? Why is it women get away with it and men's lives are destroyed?

Patrick J - 3/1/2018 11:01:57 AM

Nothing wrong here. There is no doubt in my mind that Ryan is innocent and a victim of false accusations. Sexual harassment has gotten way out of control, to the point where everyone is going to move past this and not care about the true victims. A true victim just wants to see justice, not millions of dollars.
I'm afraid to even look at women for fear of being accused of harassment. It's all very sad.

Belle - 3/1/2018 11:42:23 AM

I just love when people try to make something out of nothing. There was absolutely nothing there.

cher - 3/1/2018 12:02:05 PM

OMG I agree this sexual harassment issue is getting out of hand AND the real victims are being grouped in with the others out for $$ and publicity. Truly sad. The Kelly and Ryan thing was just a person offering help to someone. Clearly when he came around the front and showed the issue it was apparent there was no malicious attempt to bring anything to light other than his shoes were tight !!

Glenny16 - 3/1/2018 12:06:29 PM

AgeA and PatrickJ have hit the nail on the head.

James - 3/1/2018 12:14:38 PM

You journalists who write these exaggerated stories are lower than cockroaches. You are what is wrong with society. Should be ashamed of yourselves.

allan - 3/1/2018 12:15:49 PM

Damage control!!! That's what this is. A week and lame attempt to keep Ryan in the position that pays them all so well.

Anastasia - 3/1/2018 12:20:17 PM

It does seem that we are stepping back into a Victorian age. Everyone has to be so careful about keeping in the bad jokes. What if Kelly was making a double entendre with her comment about shoes? She is a mom, and mothers help a child or a co-worker with his shoes when he or she needs help. Humour is a way to deal with awkward times.

janice - 3/1/2018 12:39:50 PM

It was a simple question about shoes what is the big deal, now a days you cannot say anything for fear someone will take it the wrong way. All these accusations now is getting out of hand, before it is put out there it should be proven first, think of all the damage that can be done if false.

Gareth - 3/1/2018 1:07:51 PM

@Age you are so right Wendy Williams should be fired if we really want equality of the sexes. And men stop making woman feel its OK to say anything cuz "we want it" what is good for the Gander is good for the Goose, cuz the thing is if Chadwick was to take offense a bunch of men here would be saying he is a wuss and they WANT woman to say they look "doable" so damn if you do damn if you don't. I see the kind of thing woman are saying about Michael B Jordan being shirtless in Black Panther is like they are practically raping him with their thoughts (his Oscar worthy performance be damned) but let any male say anything mildly salacious about any woman who appear in those superhero movies and we are all dirty dogs who cant appreciate a woman's talent on screen without sexualizing her. SMDH

Heather - 3/1/2018 1:28:17 PM

Why even bring up the fact that he has his shoes off? I think the whole thing was staged... notice they werenâ€™t shoes that had laces?

allan - 3/1/2018 1:36:14 PM

I think Kelly should have shoved Ryans face in Her crotch and everything would be square!!! This was all staged, Seacrest had a wardrobe malfunction and they tried to belittle the accusations of the accuser. NOW THAT'S POWER !!!

Ken Hoover - 3/1/2018 1:41:17 PM

I was catching up on the appalling conditions many civilians must endure in places like Mexico, Myanmar, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen (to name a few) and missed this important news event.

allan - 3/1/2018 1:51:45 PM

Jesus said, do what you can where you can. So, when is your trip to Syria Ken?

Max - 3/1/2018 2:24:19 PM

Ohhhhhh such a great kidder. Is he capable of shame or showing embarrassment? Defer to your colleagues...

CDubya - 3/1/2018 6:50:38 PM

wow. I agree with Lorena and Age A.

lynn - 3/1/2018 7:35:03 PM

OMG. Does what's happening now remind anyone of the McCarthy era when they had a witch hunt and everyone was being accused of being communists. So many lives and careers were ruined.
I am a woman and completely with the women who were really harassed or abused but now there are so many women coming out of the wood work years later accusing anyone they may have a vendetta against and are looking for a quick payout. If this continues men will be afraid to speak to a women let alone date one for fear of being accused. let's stop all this nonsense and get back to living like normal human beings.

Liz - 3/1/2018 8:04:27 PM

Yes woman are finally comimg forward after decades of silence. What do they get in return for trying to change the damage done by so many for so long? Critics who demean and degrade them further. Does it really cost you all so much to just listen.
No matter what you say or do the floodgates have finally opened. Listen up because you may be the next victim. It s not strangers in the bushes. It s people you trust and let into your life that can destroy you without a second thought. Then you get to watch while the world ignores your pain and defends the animals that cause it.

Shawn - 3/1/2018 8:43:36 PM

Very soon women will not be hired for poaitions that will put men in jeopardy. This is getting out of control.

carol - 3/2/2018 5:35:40 PM

Someone commented that this was "staged". Absolutely - don't y'all realize most of TV is at least somewhat rehearsed?

Brenda - 3/3/2018 9:52:54 AM

To be honest, I just read about this in the news and decided to watch the 'video'. Although I do not watch her show anymore, I do not believe this was intended as a joke whatsoever. Did not detect any sarcasm.

Christian - 3/3/2018 10:41:10 AM

I don’t see any Ill intent in that banter! Just as innocent as can be. The question is posed to us to comment and the seed is planted about cracks in their relationship so that the issue can be prolonged. I believe nothing anymore without concrete proof, so I don’t care. If someone is creepy or abusive it will come out, even without the media twisting and planting false scenarios!

Lee Mac - 3/3/2018 1:03:27 PM

He's a Rapist just like Bill Clinton !

crose - 3/3/2018 2:04:17 PM

Was off work and saw the show and caught it immediately. And totally agree with Allan and Anastasia. Kelly and Ryan act like brother and sister watching each other’s back.